Pipe Support Structure

ABSTRACT

A pipe support assembly including a pipe support shell body and at least one standing saddle element. The pipe support shell body includes a substantially semi-cylindrical wall portion having a length which is greater than a width thereof, and have longitudinal rims; and outwardly extending flanges formed at each of the longitudinal rims of the semi-cylindrical wall, wherein the flanges are provided with through holes distributed over the length thereof. The at least one standing saddle element includes an anchoring portion adapted to be anchored to a support structure and a saddle portion to receive the convex side of the semi-cylindrical wall of the pipe support shell, the saddle portion including snap members at its rims to snap around the flanges of the pipe support shell body.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pipe support assembly. In particularit relates to a structure including a support shell which has anelongate form with an open top and a substantially semi-cylindricalwall.

2. Description of Related Art

Such a support assembly with a support shell made of metal is known forexample from EP 0 612 945 A1 and EP 2 781 814 A1. The support shellsenclose a lower half of a plastic pipe and are used as a reinforcement.Plastic pipes tend to sag if they are not supported at short intervalsby e.g. pipe clips, especially if the medium that is transported throughthe plastic pipe is warm. The metal shells support the pipe from theunderside and prevent the undesired deformation of the pipes. As aresult, pipe clips to suspend the pipe can be arranged at largerintervals. Also, a metal support shell will provide additional safety incase of fire. In general the outer diameter of the pipe correspondssubstantially to the inner diameter of the shell. The pipe and thesupport shell are supported by conventional pipe clips which are clampedaround the assembly of the pipe and the support shell.

Another example of a support assembly with pipe supporting shells isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,577. In a possible embodiment the pipesupport shell has a substantially U-shaped cross section defined byspaced sides and a curved bottom. The shell has an outstanding flange atthe upper end of the respective side walls to provide lateral stability.In another embodiment the upper edges are folded outwardly anddownwardly. A spring clip with hooks is provided which interlock withthe folded edges of the shell. The spring clip prevents splaying of theshell. In yet another embodiment the upper edges of the shell are foldedinwardly and downwardly. A spring clip with hooks is provided whichinterlock with the inwardly folded edges of the shell. This spring clipprevents splaying of the shell and can also be used as a hanger whichsuspended from a threaded rod.

WO 2012/075576 discloses a para-seismic support for pipes comprising asupport member and horizontal flanges. The support member is formed ashalf-circle in order to receive a pipe. The flanges are provided with aplurality of holes to secure vertical support lines thereon to supportthe para-seismic support from a ceiling. The para-seismic supportfurthermore comprises an axial side plate extending in a generallyvertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the pipe and havingattachment holes for attaching a support element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for an object to provide a more versatile pipe supportassembly than the known pipe support assemblies.

This object is achieved by a pipe support assembly according to thepresent application.

According to the invention the flanges at the rims of the pipe supportshell body are each provided with a series of perforations distributedover the length. The engagement portion of the hanger assembly isadapted to be inserted through at least one of the perforations in oneof the flanges. The cooperation of the engagement portion that is atleast partially inserted in one or more of the perforations provides asecure fixation of the shell body to the hanger assembly such that,after it is installed, the shell body cannot move in the longitudinaldirection with respect to the hanger assembly. However, the assembly isflexible in use during mounting, because an installer can easilyposition the hanger and the shell body relative to each other andinterlock the engagement portion of the hanger assembly and the desiredperforation(s) of the flange(s) of the shell body.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe support assembly according to theinvention said hanger assembly comprises a hanger bracket having anengagement portion comprising a hook member at a terminal end of thebracket adapted for a hooking engagement with one of the flanges of theshell body, and wherein the hook member has one or more projectionsadapted to be inserted through one or more of the perforations in theflange. The projections extending through the perforations in theflanges of the shell body prevent that the shell body can shift inlongitudinal direction with respect to the hanger bracket.

In a further embodiment the hanger bracket has two depending bracketlegs each including said engagement portion, wherein the hook member isformed at the end of each of the bracket legs.

In a further embodiment the hanger bracket comprises a clamp portionconnected to each of the bracket legs and extending over the open top ofthe shell body. The clamp portion is preferably adapted to be tightenedaround the pipe to be supported. The clamp portion can prevent or atleast mitigate longitudinal movement of the pipe with respect to theshell body. Such longitudinal movement could for example be induced bytemperature differences.

In a further embodiment the clamp portion comprises two clamp strapportions, each one connected to one of the bracket legs, and each one atan end remote from the bracket legs being provided with a tighteningflange, wherein the tightening flanges face each other and are providedwith an aperture and a tightening element is provided to extend throughsaid apertures and tighten the tightening flanges towards each other.

In a possible embodiment the clamp portions are made in one piece withthe bracket legs, wherein, preferably, the outer contour of the clampportion is cut out of the bracket leg and bent away from the bracketleg.

In a practical embodiment the tightening element to tighten thetightening flanges of the clamp strap portion towards each other is ascrew or a bolt.

In a possible embodiment the bolt or screw has a head which fits throughthe cutout left by the bent away clamp portion. Thereby the screw headcan engage the tightening flange of one of the straps. In analternative, currently not preferred embodiment, the screw head may belarger than the cutout and abuts the bracket leg on an outer side,adjacent the cutout.

In a possible embodiment of the pipe support assembly the hangerassembly includes a threaded rod and the hanger bracket has a baseadapted to be suspended from said threaded rod.

In a possible embodiment the hanger bracket comprises two separatebracket halves, which are joined. Preferably the bracket halves arejoined at the base.

In a practical embodiment the hook member of the hanger bracket has atleast two projections for engagement with two of the perforations in theflange.

In another preferred embodiment of the pipe support assembly accordingto the invention, said hanger assembly comprises a threaded rod and athreaded nut, said threaded rod extending downwardly from the overheadsupport, wherein the engagement portion includes a lower end of thethreaded rod, adapted to pass through the perforations in the flanges,and wherein the nut is adapted to be screwed on the lower end of thethreaded rod so as to bear the flange of the shell.

In a possible embodiment of the invention the pipe support assemblyfurthermore comprises a clamp comprising a strap portion adapted to betightened around the pipe to be supported and at least one end a hookportion adapted for a hooking engagement with one of the flanges of theshell body.

In a further embodiment the hook portion at the at least one end of thestrap portion has one or more projections for engagement with one ormore of the perforations in the flange.

In a possible embodiment the clamp has said hook portion at both ends ofthe strap portion.

In a possible embodiment of the invention the pipe support assemblyfurthermore comprises a cable tie adapted to extend through saidperforations in the flanges of the shell body, and to be tied around thepipe to be supported.

In a possible configuration the pipe support assembly may comprise atleast two shell bodies, wherein end portions of the shells are arrangedin an overlapping fashion such that at least a part of the series ofperforations in the flanges are in register with each other, and whereinthe cable tie is passing through the perforations to fix the shellbodies with respect to each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe support assembly according to theinvention the longitudinal rims adjoin directly the semi-cylindricalwall portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe support assembly according toinvention the shell flanges are folded over, such that each shell flangedefines a rim channel with the semi-cylindrical wall portion of theshell.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe support assembly according to theinvention the part of the flanges having the perforations is facing thesubstantially the same direction as the open top of the shell body.

The invention also relates to a pipe support shell body having asubstantially semi-cylindrical wall portion conforming to an outercontour of a pipe to be supported, and having a length which is greaterthan a width thereof, wherein the shell body has an open top flanked bylongitudinal rims and an outwardly extending flange formed at each ofsaid longitudinal rims, wherein the flanges are provided with throughholes distributed over the length thereof.

The invention also relates to a pipe support shell body consisting of:

a substantially semi-cylindrical wall portion having a length which isgreater than a width thereof, and having longitudinal rims; and

outwardly extending flanges formed at each of the longitudinal rims ofthe semi-cylindrical wall, wherein the flanges are provided with throughholes distributed over the length thereof. Preferably the pipe supportshell body is made of metal, in particular sheet metal.

In a preferred embodiment of the pipe support shell body thelongitudinal rims adjoin directly the semi-cylindrical wall portion. Inthis embodiment the flanges are thus at the rims of the semi-cylindricalwall portion and extend outwardly from the semi-cylindrical wallportion.

In a further embodiment of the pipe support shell body the shell flangesare folded over, such that each shell flange defines a rim channel withthe semi-cylindrical wall portion of the shell.

In a possible embodiment of the pipe support shell body the part of theflanges having the perforations is facing the substantially the samedirection as the open top of the shell body.

The invention also relates to a pipe support assembly comprising:

a pipe support shell body having a substantially semi-cylindrical wallportion conforming to an outer contour of a pipe to be supported, andhaving a length which is greater than a width thereof, wherein the shellbody has an open top flanked by longitudinal rims and an outwardlyextending flange formed at each of said longitudinal rims, wherein theflanges are provided with through holes distributed over the lengththereof, and

at least one standing saddle element comprising an anchoring portionadapted to be anchored to a support structure and a saddle portion toreceive the convex side of the semi-cylindrical wall of the pipe supportshell, the saddle portion including snap members at its rims to snaparound the flanges of the pipe support shell body.

According to this aspect of the invention the pipe with the pipe supportshell body can be supported from below, instead of being suspended byhangers from an overhead structure. The standing saddle element can beconnected to a support structure situated below the support shell body,such as for example a mounting rail, which is often used in theinstallation business. After the saddle element is mounted to thesupport structure (e.g. a mounting rail), the pipe support shell can bereadily clicked in the saddle element from above.

In a possible embodiment the anchoring portion has an oblong shapeadapted to be aligned and inserted into a slot or oblong aperture of achannel shaped mounting rail, and after insertion to be turned to ananchoring position. The anchoring portion may take generally the form ofoblong anchoring elements which are often used in connection withmounting rails such as for example “strut rails”, a common mounting railwith folded in flanges that delimit a longitudinal mounting slot.

In a possible embodiment the snap members are guiding loops that bulgeoutwardly from an edge of the saddle portion for receiving the flangesof the pipe support shell body. These guiding loops engage around theflanges and prevent the pipe support shell body to disengage from thesaddle element, but at the same time allow a shifting of the pipesupport shell body in the longitudinal direction thereof. Because thesaddle element is fixed to a support and is immovable, the flexibilityrequired during installation of the assembly is provided by allowing theshell body to shift with respect of the saddle element.

It is noted that with hanger assemblies as described herein, which havean engagement portion engaging in the perforations of the flanges of thepipe support shell body, the position of the shell body relative to thehanger is fixed and no relative shifting is possible. However, thehangers are usually suspended from threaded rods, which provide by smallswivelling some flexibility and allow movement for positioning of thepipe support shell body.

In a further embodiment the guiding loops, at a distal end thereof, havea guiding lip adapted to engage a flange edge of the pipe support shelland to force the loops outwardly such that the loops can move past theflange and snap back over the flange. The guiding lips facilitate thepositioning of the pipe support shell body in the saddle element.

In a preferred embodiment the saddle element is formed in one piece frommetal, in particular steel, more in particular spring steel by cuttingand bending.

By way of example, the present invention may be summarized by thefollowing clauses:

-   -   1] Pipe support assembly comprising:        -   a pipe support shell body having a substantially            semi-cylindrical wall portion conforming to an outer contour            of a pipe to be supported, and having a length which is            greater than a width thereof, wherein the shell body has an            open top flanked by longitudinal rims and a flange formed at            each of said rims,        -   at least one hanger assembly adapted to be suspended from an            overhead support structure and including an engagement            portion for engaging at least one of the flanges of the pipe            support shell body,    -   characterized in that the flanges extend outwardly from the        respective longitudinal rims and are each provided with a series        of perforations distributed over the length thereof, and wherein        the engagement portion of the hanger assembly is adapted to be        inserted at least partially through at least one of the        perforations in one of the flanges.    -   2] Pipe support assembly according to clause 1, wherein said        hanger assembly comprises a hanger bracket having an engagement        portion comprising a hook member at a terminal end of the        bracket adapted for a hooking engagement with one of the flanges        of the shell body, and wherein the hook member has one or more        projections adapted to be inserted through one or more of the        perforations in the flange.    -   3] Pipe support assembly according to clause 2, wherein the        hanger bracket has two depending bracket legs each including        said engagement portion, wherein the hook member is formed at        the end of each of the bracket legs.    -   4] Pipe support assembly according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the        hanger bracket comprises a clamp portion connected to each of        the bracket legs and extending over the open top of the shell        body.    -   5] Pipe support assembly according to clause 4, wherein the        clamp portion is adapted to be tightened around the pipe to be        supported.    -   6] Pipe support assembly according to clause 5, wherein the        clamp portion comprises two clamp strap portions, each one        connected to one of the bracket legs, and each one at an end        remote from the bracket legs being provided with a tightening        flange, wherein the tightening flanges face each other and are        provided with an aperture and a tightening element is provided        to extend through said apertures and tighten the tightening        flanges towards each other.    -   7] Pipe support assembly according to any of clauses 4-6,        wherein the clamp portions are made in one piece with the        bracket legs.    -   8] Pipe support assembly according to clause 7, wherein the        outer contour of the clamp portion is cut out of the bracket leg        and bent away from the bracket leg.    -   9] Pipe support assembly according to clause 6, wherein the        tightening element is a screw or a bolt.    -   10] Pipe support assembly according to any of the clauses 2-9,        wherein the hanger assembly includes a threaded rod and the        hanger bracket has a base adapted to be suspended from said        threaded rod.    -   11] Pipe support assembly according to any of the clauses 2-10,        wherein the hanger bracket comprises two separate bracket        halves, which are joined.    -   12] Pipe support assembly according to clauses 10 and 11,        wherein the bracket halves are joined at the base.    -   13] Pipe support assembly according to any of the clauses 2-12,        wherein the hook member of the hanger bracket has at least two        projections for engagement with two of the perforations in the        flange.    -   14] Pipe support assembly according to any of the preceding        clauses, wherein said hanger assembly comprises a threaded rod        and a threaded nut, said threaded rod extending downwardly from        the overhead support, wherein the engagement portion includes a        lower end of the threaded rod, adapted to pass through the        perforations in the flanges, and wherein the nut is adapted to        be screwed on the lower end of the threaded rod so as to bear        the flange of the shell.    -   15] Pipe support assembly according to any of the preceding        clauses, wherein said assembly furthermore comprises a clamp        comprising a strap portion adapted to be tightened around the        pipe to be supported and at least one end a hook portion adapted        for a hooking engagement with one of the flanges of the shell        body.    -   16] Pipe support assembly according to clause 15, wherein the        hook portion at the at least one end of the strap portion has        one or more projections for engagement with one or more of the        perforations in the flange.    -   17] Pipe support assembly according to clause 15 or 16, wherein        the clamp has said hook portion at both ends of the strap        portion.    -   18] Pipe support assembly according to any of the preceding        clauses, wherein said assembly furthermore comprises a cable tie        which in a mounted state extends through said perforations in        the flanges of the shell body, and is tied around the pipe to be        supported.    -   19] Pipe support assembly according to clause 18, comprising at        least two shell bodies, wherein end portions of the shells are        arranged in an overlapping fashion such that at least a part of        the series of perforations in the flanges are in register with        each other, and wherein the cable tie is passing through the        perforations to fix the shell bodies with respect to each other.    -   20] Pipe support assembly according to any of the preceding        clauses, wherein the longitudinal rims adjoin directly the        semi-cylindrical wall portion.    -   21] Pipe support assembly according to any of the preceding        clauses, wherein the shell flanges are folded over, such that        each shell flange defines a rim channel with the        semi-cylindrical wall portion of the shell.    -   22] Pipe support assembly according to any one of the preceding        clauses, wherein the part of the flanges having the perforations        is facing the substantially the same direction as the open top        of the shell body.    -   23] A pipe support shell body consisting of:        -   a substantially semi-cylindrical wall portion having a            length which is greater than a width thereof, and having            longitudinal rims; and        -   outwardly extending flanges formed at each of the            longitudinal rims of the semi-cylindrical wall, wherein the            flanges are provided with through holes distributed over the            length thereof.    -   24] Pipe support shell body according to clause 23, wherein the        longitudinal rims adjoin directly the semi-cylindrical wall        portion.    -   25] Pipe support shell body according to any of the clauses        23-24, wherein the shell flanges are folded over, such that each        shell flange defines a rim channel with the semi-cylindrical        wall portion of the shell.    -   26] Pipe support shell body according to any one of the clauses        23-25, wherein the part of the flanges having the perforations        is facing the substantially the same direction as the open top        of the shell body.    -   27] Pipe support assembly comprising:        -   a pipe support shell body according to any of the clauses            23-26, and        -   at least one standing saddle element comprising an anchoring            portion adapted to be anchored to a support structure and a            saddle portion to receive the convex side of the            semi-cylindrical wall of the pipe support shell, the saddle            portion including snap members at its rims to snap around            the flanges of the pipe support shell body.    -   28] Pipe support assembly according to clause 27, wherein the        anchoring portion has an oblong shape adapted to be aligned and        inserted into a slot or oblong aperture of a channel shaped        mounting rail, and after insertion to be turned to an anchoring        position.    -   29] Pipe support assembly according to clause 27 or 28, wherein        the snap members are guiding loops that bulge outwardly from an        edge of the saddle portion for receiving the flanges of the pipe        support shell body.    -   30] Pipe support assembly according to clause 29, wherein the        guiding loops at a distal end thereof have a guiding lip adapted        to engage a flange edge of the pipe support shell and to force        the hooks outwardly such that the hooks can move past the flange        and snap back over the flange.    -   31] Pipe support assembly according to any of the clauses 27-30,        wherein the saddle element is formed in one piece from metal, in        particular steel, more in particular spring steel by cutting and        bending.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further elucidated in the following detaileddescription with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows in a view in perspective a preferred embodiment of a pipesupport shell body according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the pipe support shell body of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a top elevational view of the pipe support shell body ofFIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows in a view in perspective a preferred embodiment of a pipesupport assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 5 illustrates in a view in perspective the pipe support assembly ofFIG. 4 in an alternative mounting state,

FIG. 6 shows in a view in perspective a part of a hanger bracket formingpart of the pipe support assembly of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 shows in a view in perspective another preferred embodiment of apipe support assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 8 shows in a view in perspective a pipe support shell body of FIG.1 with a clamp mounted on it,

FIG. 9 shows in a view in perspective a pipe support shell body of FIG.1 with a cable tie mounted to it,

FIG. 10 illustrates in a view in perspective two pipe support shellbodies of FIG. 1 with a cable tie connecting the pipe shell bodies, and

FIG. 11 shows in a view in perspective a pipe support assembly accordingto another aspect of the invention,

FIG. 12 shows in a view in perspective a saddle element of the pipesupport assembly of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 shows a front elevational view of the saddle element of FIG. 12,and

FIG. 14 shows in a view in perspective the pipe support assembly of FIG.11 combined with a clamp shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1 is shown a part of a support shell body 1. In a practicalembodiment the pipe support shell body 1 is made of metal, in particular(thin) sheet metal.

The support shell body 1 has a channel-like form with a curved wallportion 2, which is semi-cylindrical or approximately semi-cylindrical.The support shell body 1 is adapted to receive a pipe. The innerdiameter of the curved wall portion 2 conforms to the outer surface ofthe pipe to be supported.

At the upper end of the curved wall portion 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the shell body 1 has longitudinal rims 3 at either lateral side ofthe shell body 1. At these longitudinal rims 3 a flange 4 is formed thatextends outwardly.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 the flanges 4 are formed as foldedflanges having a substantial radial part 5 and folded over part 6 thatextends downwardly, such that the flange 4 and the upper region near therim 3 of the curved wall portion 2 define a rim channel 7. The foldedflange provides additional rigidity to the shell body 1. Furthermore thefolded edges reduce the risk of sharp metal edges carving in the pipesouter surface during installation, which extends the life span of thepipe.

In each of the flanges 4 a series of perforations 8 is present. Theperforations 8 are distributed over the length of the flange 4. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 the perforations 8 have a pattern with anequal spacing between them as can be clearly seen FIGS. 1 and 3.However, also other perforation patterns may be possible, e.g. a seriesof multiple perforations with a relatively small spacing and then alarger spacing towards a following series of multiple perforations.

The shell body 1 can be suspended from an overhead support structuresuch as a ceiling or mounting rails, such as for example C-profiledrails or what is known in the field as “Strut” rails. Thereto asuspension element, such as a threaded rod, is fixed to the overheadsupport structure and extends downwardly.

In one possible embodiment according to the present invention a hangerbracket may be mounted to the threaded rod or other suspension element.This embodiment is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4-6.

In FIG. 4 is shown the shell body 1. Furthermore a threaded rod 9 isvisible which suspends from the overhead support structure. A hangerbracket 10 is mounted at a lower end of the threaded rod 9.

The hanger bracket 10 in the specific embodiment shown comprises twobracket halves 11. These bracket halves are preferably made in one piecefrom metal, in particular steel. However also other materials, orcombinations of materials could be used.

In FIG. 6 a single bracket half 11 is shown. The bracket half 11comprises a base plate 12 and a bracket leg 13 adjoining at one end thebase plate 12. At an opposite end the bracket leg 13 has an engagementportion 14 comprising a hook member 15. The hook member 15 is adaptedfor a hooking engagement with a flange 4 of the shell body 1. In thisparticular embodiment the hook member 4 is adapted to hook in the rimchannel 7 defined by the flange 4. When the hanger bracket 10 ismounted, the base plates 12 of the respective bracket halves 11 arearranged in an overlapping fashion and the bracket legs 13 arepositioned opposite each other, such that each of the engagementportions 14 engages one of the flanges 4.

The base plates 12 are provided each with an aperture 17. When thehanger bracket is mounted the threaded rod 9 is passed through theapertures 17 in the overlapping base plates 12 as is visible in FIG. 4.This fixes the bracket halves 11 together at their upper end. A threadednut, which is not visible in FIG. 4, may be screwed on the end of thethreaded rod 9, such that the bracket 10 can be supported by thethreaded rod 9.

The hook member 15 has one or more projections 16, in this case twoprojections 16 which extend upwardly from the hook member 15. Theprojections 16 are adapted to be inserted through perforations 8 in theflange 4 when the hook member 15 is received in the rim channel 7, whichis visible in FIG. 4. The projections 16 extending through theperforations 8 in the flanges 4 of the shell body 1 prevent that theshell body 1 can shift in longitudinal direction with respect to thehanger bracket 10.

A further advantage of the projections 16, in particular when there areat least two projections 16 at each hook member 15, is that the hangerbracket 10 can be used to interconnect two shell bodies 1 at theirrespective ends. An example of this is shown in FIG. 5, in which twoshell bodies 1 are arranged in line and abut or nearly abut at an end.From each hook member 15 one projection 16 is inserted through aperforation 8 of one of the shell bodies 1 and another or the otherprojection 16 of the same hook member 15 is inserted through aperforation 8 of the other one of the shell bodies 1. Thereby the shellbodies 11 are connected to each other and the hanger bracket 10, inparticular the hook members 15 thereof, functions as a connection means.Another option is that the end portions of the shell bodies 1 overlapand that one or more perforations 8 of the two shell bodies 1 are inregister with each other, as is for example shown in FIG. 10, such thata protrusion 16 can extend through the registering perforations 8.

The hanger bracket is preferably made of metal. However it is alsoconceivable that it is made of another suitable material, e.g. plastics,or a composite material. Also a combination of metal and anothermaterial, e.g. plastics material is possible.

The features of the hanger bracket 10 as described in the above are forsuspending the shell body or bodies 1 and, optionally, to interconnectshell bodies 1. The embodiment of the hanger bracket 10 that is shown inFIGS. 4-6 further has a feature to clamp a pipe to be supported in theshell body/bodies 1.

The bracket halves 11 each have a clamp strap portion 18, which isconnected to the bracket leg 13. The clamp strap portion 18 in thespecific embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 can be made in one piece with thebracket leg 13 by cutting out an outer contour in the bracket leg 13 andbending the strip shaped strap portion 18 out of the body of the bracketleg to leave a cutout 19 open in the bracket leg 13. The clamp strapportion 18 has a first end 20 that remains connected to the bracket leg13. This first end 20 is connected to the bracket leg 13 in a regionsome distance above the engagement portion 14 of the bracket leg 13. Ata second end of the clamp strap portion 18, which is situated above thefirst end 20, a tightening flange 21 is formed. The tightening flange 21is provided with an aperture 22. Between the first end 20 and the flange21 at the second end, the strap portion 18 has a curved shape.

The clamp strap portion 18 is bent inwardly such that it extends moreinwardly of the bracket leg 13. Between the first end 20 and the flange21 at the second end, the strap portion 18 has a curved shape. When thebracket halves 11 are positioned opposite each other as is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the clamp strap portions 18 extend towards each other andthe tightening flanges 21 are positioned opposite each other. By passinga screw 23, a bolt, or another suitable tightening element through theapertures 22 of the respective tightening flanges 21 the tighteningflanges 21 can be tightened towards each other and the pipe (not shown)can be clamped in engagement with the shell body 1 by the strap portions18. The hanger bracket 10 thus has a clamp portion including the clampstrap portions 18 which can prevent or at least mitigate longitudinalmovement of the pipe with respect to the shell body 1. Such longitudinalmovement could for example be induced by temperature differences.

In relation to FIGS. 4 and 5 It is noted that the diameter of the headof the screw 23 is smaller than the width of the cutout 19, such thatthe screw head can engage the tightening flange 21, although the FIGS. 4and 5 seem to suggest that the screw head engages the bracket leg 13adjacent the cutout 19.

In another possible embodiment according to the present invention theshell body or shell bodies 1 may be suspended directly from one or morethreaded rods, which are anchored to an overhead support such as aceiling or a mounting rail (e.g. a strut rail). This embodiment isillustrated with reference to FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7 two threaded rods 30 are shown which extend downwardly from anoverhead support where they are fixed. A lower end 31 of the threadedrod 30 is passed through one of the perforations 8 in the flange 4. Anut 32 is screwed on the lower end 31 of the threaded rod 30. The nut 32can thus bear the flange 4 of the shell body 1. In the specificembodiment shown in FIG. 7 the folded over flange portion 6 bears on thenut 32. It is however also conceivable that the flange is flat and notfolded as in FIG. 7, such that the flat flange bears on the nut 32.Another option, which is not shown in FIG. 7, is that an intermediateelement such as a bushing or ring is arranged around the threaded rod 30above the nut 32, which intermediate element bears on the nut 32 andwhich fits in the rim channel 7. The radial part 5 of the flange 4 thenbears on an upper side of the intermediate element.

By two threaded rods 30 arranged to support the flanges 4 on oppositesides of the shell body 1, a simple and stable support structure isprovided.

It is also possible to interconnect two shell bodies 1 by the threadedrods 30 if the end portions of the shell bodies are arranged in anoverlapping fashion and perforations 8 of the two shell bodies are inregister, comparable to what is visible in FIG. 10. The end portion 31of the threaded rod 30 can then be inserted through the perforations 8which are in register with each other after which a nut 32 can bescrewed on the end portion 31 of the threaded rod 30.

In FIG. 8 is illustrated a clamp 40 which is adapted to engage with theflanges 4 of the shell body 1. The clamp 40 is used to clamp the pipe tobe supported into engagement with the shell body 1. The clamp can thusprevent or at least mitigate longitudinal movement of the pipe withrespect to the shell body 1. Such longitudinal movement could forexample be induced by temperature differences. In that sense the clamp40 has the same function as clamp portion 18 of the hanger bracket 10shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The clamp 40 comprises two clamp halves 41, each having a strap portion42 adapted to be tightened around the pipe to be supported. The clamphalves 41 are preferably made of metal, but could also be made ofanother suitable material, e.g. plastics.

At one end of the strap portion 42 a hook portion 43 is formed. The hookportion 43 is adapted for a hooking engagement with the flanges 4 of theshell body 1 as can be seen in FIG. 8. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 thehook portion 43 has one projection 44 for engagement with one of theperforations 8 in the flange 4. This could also be more than oneprojections 44 comparable to the hook portion 15 of the hanger bracketof FIGS. 4-6 which has two projections 16. By the projection 44 theclamp half 41 is interlocked with the flange 4 and fixed in thelongitudinal direction.

At another end of the strap portion 43 a tightening flange 45 is formed.The tightening flange 45 is provided with a hole 46 through which atightening element 47 such as a screw or a bolt can be inserted.

In use the clamp halves 41 are each coupled to the opposite flanges 4 ofthe shell body 1 with their respective hook portions 43 and projections44. The strap portions 42 are then arranged around the pipe and aretightened against the pipe by tightening the tightening flanges 45towards each other by means of the tightening element 47.

As an alternative for the clamp 40 also a cable tie could be used toclamp the pipe in engagement with the shell body 1. This is illustratedin FIG. 9 where a cable tie 50 is shown which has a strap 51 and a head52. The strap 51 is passed through a perforation 8 in each one of theflanges 4 on opposite sides of the shell body 1 and surrounds the shellbody 1 and the pipe (not shown) received therein. The strap is tightenedand locked by inserting its end in the head and pulling it as is knownfrom common cable ties. This provides a cheap and simple solution toclamp a pipe in the shell body 1 according to the invention. However,cable ties are commonly made of plastics and tend to creep over time.Thus for a stronger and more reliable solution a clamp as shown in FIG.8 might be preferable.

In FIG. 10 is illustrated how two shell bodies 1 can be arranged withoverlapping end portions wherein perforations 8 in the flanges are inregister and the cable tie 50 can be used to fix the two shell bodies 1,next to clamping the pipe into engagement with the shell bodies 1.

With reference to FIGS. 11-14 another aspect of the invention isdescribed. Unlike the pipe support assemblies shown in FIGS. 4-7including a hanger assembly for the pipe support shell body adapted tobe suspended from an overhead support structure, the pipe supportassembly according to this aspect allows the pipe support shell body tobe supported from below by a support structure located underneath thepipe.

In FIG. 11 is shown that a mounting rail 110 is provided. The mountingrail 110 may be part of a supporting structure. It is a typical mountingrail having a bottom 111, two lateral walls 112 and an upper sideincluding two flanges 113 defining a longitudinal slot 114 between them.In this example the mounting rail 110 is of the “strut rail” type havingflanges 113 folded downwards towards the bottom 111.

The support assembly includes a saddle element 120 which can support thesupport shell body 1, which is of the type shown in FIG. 1. The saddleelement 120 is better visible in FIGS. 12 and 13. The saddle element 120in the embodiment shown is made in one piece of sheet metal, inparticular it is made of spring steel by punching and bending.

The saddle element 120 comprises an anchoring portion 121 and a saddleportion 122. The anchoring portion 121 comprises an oblong anchoringplate 123 which has such dimensions that it can be aligned with itslongitudinal axis with the slot 114 of the mounting rail 110 and theninserted between the flanges 113 into the channel-like rail 110. Thenthe anchoring plate 123 can be rotated, for example a ¼ turn and theplate will engage the flanges 113. To engage the flanges firmly, theplate is preferably provided with resilient tongues 124 which are bentout of the plane of the plate 123.

The saddle portion 122 comprises two opposed curved support plates 125which have a curvature substantially corresponding with the curvature ofthe pipe support shell 1. The curved support plates 125 support the pipesupport shell 1 from below as is shown in FIG. 11.

A connecting leg 126 connects a first end 125A of each the curvedsupport plates 125 to a longitudinal side of the anchoring plate 123.

At a second end 125B of the curved support plates 125 snap members 127are formed. The snap members 127 are in the specific embodiment shownformed as guiding loops 128 with a generally U-shaped cross section.These guiding loops 128 bulge outwardly from the second end 125B of thesaddle portion and are dimensioned such that they receive with a concaveside a portion of the flange 4 of the pipe support shell 1 as can beseen in FIG. 1. In the particular embodiment shown, each curved supportplate 125 has two snap members 127, one at each longitudinal end.

The guiding loops 128 have a distal end 129, i.e. the end facing awayfrom the curved support plate 125. At the distal end 129 a guiding lip130 is formed. The guiding lip 130 has a slanting orientation inwardsand downwards. The guiding lips 130 on opposite sides of the saddleportion 122 are thus adapted to engage the corresponding edge if thefolded over flange portions 6 of the opposite flanges 4 of the pipesupport shell 1 and by a wedge mechanism force the guiding loops 128outwardly such that the loops 128 can move past the flange 4 and snapback over the flange 4. The curved support plates 125 hinge by thewedging force at adjoining region 131 between the legs 126 and thecurved support plates 125. In a possible embodiment the adjoining region131 is provided with a weakening recess or perforation 132, such thatspreading of the curved support plates 125 is facilitated such that thepipe support shell 1 can be inserted from above in the saddle element120. In the embodiment shown the guiding lips 130 on the same curvedsupport plate 125 are interconnected by a connecting web 133. Theseconnecting webs 133 form an extension of the guiding tongues andfacilitate the distribution of the force of the flanges 4 of the pipesupport shell body 1 to spread the curved support plates such that theguiding loops 128 can snap around the flanges 4.

In a further embodiment the clamp 40 that is described with reference toFIG. 8 can collaborate with the saddle element 120, as is shown in FIG.14. As can be seen a pipe 200 is arranged in the shell body 1 which issupported from below by the saddle element 120 arranged on the mountingrail 110 as described in the above. The clamp 40 has the hook portions43 with the projection 44 for engagement with one of the perforations 8in the flange 4. The hook portion 43 can engage the flange 4 through anaperture 134 in the saddle element 120 defined between the loops 128, anupper edge 125B of the curved support plate 125 and the connecting webs133. The width of the aperture 134 is such that at least one perforation8 is reachable between the two loops 128 such that a projection 44 canbe inserted in the perforation. In a practical embodiment the pitchbetween the two loops 128 on one curved support plate 125 correspondswith two times the pitch between the perforations 8 in the flange 4. Inthat event there are always one or two perforation reachable through theaperture 134.

In the above the shell body 1 is shown in separate examples in acombination with a hanger bracket 10 (FIGS. 3-5) or with threaded rods30 (FIG. 7) as hanger assemblies; with a saddle element 120 supportingfrom below; and with a clamp 40 (FIG. 8) or with a cable tie 50 (FIGS.9-10) as clamping means. It should be understood, however, that a pipesupport assembly according to the invention encompasses the shell body 1or shell bodies 1, combined with different combinations of the mentionedhanger assemblies 10 and 30, saddle element and clamping means 40 and50. For example, a pipe support assembly according to the inventioncould thus combine hanger brackets 10 and threaded rods 30 as shown inFIGS. 3, 4 and 7 respectively to suspend a body shell 1 or more bodyshells 1. And there could be used clamps 40 and cable ties 50 asalternatives or in addition to each other.

1. A pipe support assembly comprising: a pipe support shell bodyconsisting of: a substantially semi-cylindrical wall portion having alength which is greater than a width thereof, and having longitudinalrims, and outwardly extending flanges formed at each of the longitudinalrims of the semi-cylindrical wall, wherein the flanges are provided withthrough holes distributed over the length thereof; at least one standingsaddle element comprising an anchoring portion adapted to be anchored toa support structure and a saddle portion to receive the convex side ofthe semi-cylindrical wall of the pipe support shell, the saddle portionincluding snap members at its rims to snap around the flanges of thepipe support shell body.
 2. The pipe support assembly according to claim1, wherein the anchoring portion of the saddle element has an oblongshape adapted to be aligned and inserted into a slot or oblong apertureof a channel shaped mounting rail, and after insertion to be turned toan anchoring position.
 3. The pipe support assembly according to claim1, wherein the snap members are guiding loops that bulge outwardly froman edge of the saddle portion for receiving the flanges of the pipesupport shell body.
 4. The pipe support assembly according to claim 3,wherein the guiding loops have a distal end, at which the guiding loopshave a guiding lip adapted to engage a flange edge of the pipe supportshell and to force the hooks outwardly such that the hooks can move pastthe flange and snap back over the flange.
 5. The pipe support assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the saddle element is formed in one piecefrom metal.
 6. The pipe support assembly according to claim 5, the metalis a spring steel.
 7. The pipe support assembly according to claim 1,wherein the longitudinal rims of the pipe support shell body adjoindirectly the semi-cylindrical wall portion of the pipe support shellbody.
 8. The pipe support assembly according to claim 1, wherein theshell flanges of the pipe support shell body are folded over, such thateach shell flange defines a rim channel with the semi-cylindrical wallportion of the shell.
 9. The pipe support assembly according to claim 1,wherein the part of the flanges having the through holes is facing thesubstantially the same direction as the open top of the shell body.